Washington Small Claims Court: Where and How to File

Which court

All DC small claims go to the one Small Claims Branch at Superior Court. Claims over $10,000 go to the Civil Actions Branch instead, which has a much higher filing fee.

Where and how to file

Limit	$10,000
Court	DC Superior Court, Civil Division, Small Claims Branch
Address	510 4th Street NW, Building B, Room 120, Washington, DC 20001
Phone	202-879-1120
Hours	Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus Wednesday 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to noon at the Moultrie Courthouse, 500 Indiana Avenue NW.
File online	eFileDC, https://efiledcsuperiorcourt.gov/
Fees	$5 for claims up to $500, $10 for over $500 up to $2,500, and $45 for over $2,500 up to $10,000. Paid at filing. You can apply for a fee waiver with your claim.
Serving papers	Most claims must be served within 60 days of filing, or 180 days in collection and subrogation cases. The court's fee list shows certified mail at $6.75 and registered mail at $15.50, and $5 for appointing a special process server.

DC Superior Court, Civil Division, Small Claims Branch small claims page

Good to know here

A business that files a small claim must have a lawyer.
Your Statement of Claim should be notarized. If it isn't, bring photo ID so a clerk can verify it.
Since September 6, 2025, Saturday services are at the Moultrie Courthouse, not Building B. Filings can also go in the drop box in the Moultrie lobby.
Mediation is offered on your court date, and sessions are remote unless everyone agrees to meet in person.
A defendant usually doesn't need to file a written answer and can respond at the hearing. A counterclaim costs $10 and isn't capped at $10,000.

Hours, fees and locations change. Call the court or check its site before you go.

Washington Small Claims Court

Where and how to file

Good to know here

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